Shera Sherpa Adventures – Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: [01/01/2020]

By booking a trek or tour with Shera Sherpa Adventures (“the Company”), you (“the Guest” or “Customer”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following Terms & Conditions.

1. Booking & Payment

1.1 Booking Confirmation

A booking is confirmed only after the required deposit has been received by the Company.

1.2 Deposit

The required deposit amount will be specified at the time of booking.

1.3 Balance Payment

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the remaining balance must be paid upon arrival in Nepal before the commencement of the trek.

2. Cancellation by the Guest

2.1 Deposit

All deposits and advance payments are strictly non-refundable if the Guest cancels the trek for any reason.

2.2 Future Trek Credit

Although deposits are non-refundable, the full deposit amount may be transferred as a credit toward the same trekking package with Shera Sherpa Adventures, provided the Guest books a new departure within the applicable validity period determined by the Company.

2.3 Rescheduling

Guests may reschedule their trek once, free of charge, provided written notice is received at least fifteen (15) days before the scheduled departure date.

Requests made less than fifteen (15) days before departure are subject to Company approval and may incur additional costs.

2.4 No Refund After Trek Commences

Once the trek has commenced, no refunds, credits, or partial refunds will be provided for:

• voluntary withdrawal from the trek;

• illness or injury;

• altitude sickness;

• evacuation;

• missed itinerary;

• early departure;

• failure to complete the trek for any personal reason.

3. Cancellation by the Company

3.1 Force Majeure

The Company reserves the right to cancel, postpone, modify, or terminate a trek due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• severe weather;

• flight cancellations;

• natural disasters;

• earthquakes;

• floods;

• landslides;

• epidemics or pandemics;

• political unrest;

• civil disturbances;

• strikes;

• government restrictions;

• war;

• terrorism;

• any other Force Majeure event.

3.2 Standard Bookings

If the Company cancels a trek before departure due to Force Majeure or other unforeseen circumstances, the Guest may choose either:

a. a full refund of all deposits paid; or

b. to reschedule the trek to a future departure date without any rescheduling fee.

3.3 Price Lock Guarantee Bookings

If the Guest has booked under the Company’s Price Lock Guarantee (valid for two (2) years from the original booking date) and the Company cancels the trek, the Guest may choose either:

a. a 50% refund of the deposit paid; or

b. reschedule the trek to any available departure within the Price Lock Guarantee period at no additional charge.

3.4 Cancellation Due to Guest Conduct

The Company reserves the right to cancel or terminate any booking, before or during the trek, where, in the Company’s reasonable opinion, the Guest:

• a. breaches these Terms & Conditions;
• b. engages in abusive, threatening, intimidating, harassing, discriminatory, violent, sexually inappropriate, or illegal behaviour;
• c. behaves in a manner that compromises the safety, wellbeing, reputation, or operational integrity of the Company, its employees, contractors, guides, porters, other guests, or third parties;
• d. provides false or misleading information;
• e. refuses to follow reasonable instructions given by the Company’s guides or representatives.
• Where a booking is cancelled under this clause, the Company reserves the right to refuse further services. Any refund or travel credit shall be determined by the Company after taking into account the circumstances of the cancellation and applicable law.

4. No Refund Eligibility

The Company reserves the right to withhold any refund or travel credit where:

a. the Guest has an outstanding unpaid balance from any previous trip or booking with Shera Sherpa Adventures;

b. the Guest owes any outstanding amount to the Company;

c. the Company may apply any deposits or payments already received toward settlement of such outstanding balances.

5. Refund Method

Refunds will normally be made using the original payment method. Where this is not reasonably practicable, including where the Guest is no longer in Nepal or where the original payment method is unavailable, the Company may issue the refund by another reasonable method determined by the Company. Any applicable banking, transfer, or processing charges may be deducted from the refund where permitted by law.

5.1 Third-Party Bookings & Refunds

Where a booking has been made and paid for by a third party (including, but not limited to, a travel organiser, group leader, family member, friend, or other representative), any approved refund shall be made only to the original person or entity that made the booking and/or payment.

The Company will not issue refunds directly to individual travellers who did not make the original booking or payment, unless expressly authorised in writing by the original payer and accepted by the Company.

5.2 Refund Requests

Any request for a refund must be submitted in writing by email to contact@sherasherpaadventures.com within seven (7) calendar days of the date of cancellation or the event giving rise to the refund request.

The refund request should include the Guest’s name, booking reference (if available), the reason for the request, and any supporting documentation the Guest wishes the Company to consider.

The Company may, at its sole discretion, consider requests received after this period where exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.

6. Travel Insurance

6.1 Mandatory Insurance

The Company strongly recommends that every Guest obtain comprehensive travel insurance before arriving in Nepal.

The policy should include, where applicable:

• emergency medical treatment;

• helicopter evacuation;

• search and rescue;

• trip interruption;

• trip cancellation;

• personal accident;

• baggage loss.

6.2 Medical Expenses

The Guest is solely responsible for all medical expenses, rescue costs, evacuation charges, hospital bills, medication costs, and any other related expenses not covered by their insurance.

The Company shall not be responsible for such costs.

7. Incomplete Treks

If a Guest is unable to complete the trek due to:

• illness;

• injury;

• altitude sickness;

• evacuation;

• personal decision;

• disciplinary removal;

• or any reason beyond the Company’s control,

no refund or compensation shall be payable.

8. Additional Costs

The published itinerary includes only those services specifically listed in the package inclusions.

Additional costs arising from Guest-requested changes or unforeseen circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• additional accommodation;

• transportation;

• upgraded services;

• helicopter charter;

• porter or guide changes;

• itinerary extensions;

• permit amendments.

Such costs are the sole responsibility of the Guest.

9. Flight Delays & Cancellations

Mountain flights in Nepal are highly dependent upon weather conditions and air traffic restrictions.

The Company shall not be liable for:

• flight delays;

• flight cancellations;

• schedule changes;

• missed international connections;

• accommodation expenses arising from such delays.

Any additional expenses shall be borne by the Guest.

10. Additional Accommodation

Where extra overnight accommodation becomes necessary due to weather, airline disruption, government restrictions, illness, or any other circumstance beyond the Company’s control, all associated costs shall be the responsibility of the Guest unless otherwise stated in the booked package.

11. Accommodation Standards

Accommodation during Himalayan treks is provided according to local availability and conditions.

Facilities in remote mountain regions differ significantly from city hotels and may include limited electricity, heating, internet access, hot water, and private bathroom facilities.

The Guest acknowledges and accepts these conditions.

12. Guest Conduct

Guests are expected to behave respectfully toward guides, porters, staff, local communities, and fellow trekkers.

The Company reserves the right to terminate a Guest’s participation without refund where the Guest engages in conduct including, but not limited to:

• abusive behaviour;

• threatening behaviour;

• violent conduct;

• discrimination;

• harassment;

• sexual harassment;

• illegal activities;

• behaviour that endangers others.

The Company also reserves the right to report such conduct to the appropriate law enforcement authorities where applicable.

13. Defamation, False Allegations & Misconduct

The Company respects every Guest’s right to provide honest reviews and genuine feedback.

However, any person who knowingly publishes or communicates:

• false statements;

• fabricated allegations;

• malicious accusations;

• fraudulent claims;

• defamatory content;

without supporting evidence, and where such conduct causes reputational or financial harm to the Company, its employees, guides, or representatives, may be subject to appropriate legal action in accordance with applicable law.

This provision does not restrict or prevent Guests from posting truthful reviews based on their genuine experiences.

14. Changes to Itinerary

For safety, weather, operational, or logistical reasons, the Company reserves the right to modify itineraries, accommodations, transportation, or guides without prior notice where reasonably necessary.

Such changes shall not constitute a breach of contract.

15. Amendment of Terms & Conditions

The Company reserves the right to amend or update these Terms & Conditions at any time.

The version in effect on the date the Guest confirms their booking shall apply to that booking unless both parties agree otherwise in writing.

16. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by the laws of Nepal.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms & Conditions or any services provided by the Company shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

17. Acceptance

By making a booking and paying a deposit, the Guest confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions in full.